Miss Shanel
Nirere in 2017
Nirere in 2017
Background information
Birth nameRuth Nirere
OriginRwanda
Genres
  • R&B
  • traditional
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1998–present

Ruth Nirere, better known as Miss Shanel, is a Rwandan singer and actress.[1]

History

Early years

She began singing as a child and released two successful singles, both meant to comfort and commemorate the survivors and victims of the Rwandan genocide, while a secondary school student. Her songs are regularly played during the annual Genocide commemoration period, and in 2004 she won the "Never Again" competition to select the best commemoration artist.[2]

Musical career

She had a major hit in 1998 at the age of 13 with the zouk tune "Ndarota!" off her debut album of the same name released earlier that year.[3] In 2004 she released two a cappella singles to wide success, raising her to national celebrity. Her music during this period reflected a mix of genres, including R&B, soul, zouk and acoustic music.[2]

In 2009 she released her debut album, entitled Narrow Road.[4] This album and her subsequent music reflect more traditional Rwandan musical styles.[2] She has collaborated on singles with numerous Rwandan, Kenyan and Ugandan artists.[3]

In 2012 she gave a series of performances for Rwandan peacekeepers stationed in Darfur, Sudan.[5]

In 2013 she moved to France to complete a two-year course in vocal performance.[4]

In 2017 she plays in the movie The Mercy of the Jungle starring Marc Zinga and Stephane Bak, produced by Joël Karekezi

Awards

Miss Shanel has been nominated three times for a Pearl of Africa Music Award in 2006, 2007 and 2008.[2] In 2009 she won a Salax Award in the category of Best Female Artist.[2]

Acting career

In addition to her musical career, Nirere has launched a successful career as an actress. She starred in the films Avenir;[4] Long Coat, directed by Edouard Bamporiki; and Matière grise, directed by Kivu Ruhorahoza. She starred in Le jour ou Dieu est parti en voyage (2009), which recounts stories of the Rwandan genocide.[4] Nirere's performance earned her the prize for Best Actress at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece and at the International Film Festival Bratislava in Slovakia.[3] In 2011 she starred in the Rwandan film Grey Matter that deals with the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda.

References

  1. ↑ Umutesi, Doreen (5 April 2013). "Rwanda's Hottest Celebrities As Voted By You !". The New Times. Rwanda. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Kagire, Edmund (23 June 2012). "Shanel sings to soothe hearts, souls". Rwanda Today. Rwanda. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ruth Nirere - Comédienne - Rwanda" (in French). Rwanda: Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur. 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Miss Shanel – a movie Star". The New Times. Rwanda. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  5. ↑ Karuhanga, James (10 July 2012). "Rwandan Artistes Perform for Peacekeepers in Darfur". The New Times. Rwanda. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
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